Allotment Site News
Cycle racks were installed in the car park by Action Travel in 2019. We are delighted with this new parking option for 10 bikes.
Our new communal space
We're still working on weed control but will be strimming regularly to keep them low.
The communal area has grown out of a rubble (the foundations of old outbuildings) and weed infested area (bindweed and nettles particularly) that had become unmanageable. For the past few decades, it was a dumping ground for leaves and grass clippings from local parks, which unfortunately included plastic and rubbish.
Following Edinburgh Council's JCB levelling in early winter 2016, volunteer plot holders cleared and covered the area in black plastic in order to eliminate the worst of the perennial weeds. Lifting the plastic this spring has allowed us to develop the new space. It has been turfed and edged with white clover (good for pollinators and consolidating sloping ground). Apple (Katy, Discovery, Sunburst and Clydeside) and pear trees (x2 Williams), a weeping cotoneaster and benches have arrived through donation from plot holders.
Now, as well as being an all year round place to meet friends and other gardeners, it can be used to accommodate site events such as the annual plant sale.
Designed for easy maintenance — the most important factor in relation to its ongoing success — the space will be mowed and pruned and planted by volunteers as it develops. And adjacent, a new leaf mould and grass cuttings compost bay, constructed in February 2018 on the boundary to the car park, makes collecting and delivering material more accessible.
The communal area opened on a sunny Sunday May 2018 in conjunction with our annual plant sale which raised funds to further develop the space and bring other improvements to the site (for example, we are looking into installing bike racks).
Jock's bench, bought with a very kind and generous donation from Ally, his son, now takes pride of place close to his plot.
Images of developments, click here.
Willow trees:
The council felled a number of willow trees on the south edge of the wood. These were becoming dangerous in high winds. Adjoining plot holders now enjoy more sunshine and air and wildlife, in particular birds, is multiplying.
In 2021 the stumps have begun to show vigorous signs of growth. We'll keep these in check.
After much deliberation about whether to develop this site, we decided to rewild it so that the flora and fauna are enabled to do their own thing. This means having the patience to do nothing. It may look messy, but insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles love it. Over the years, it should develop a balance of nature that we can all enjoy and be surprised by.
The only unwelcome inhabitant is Himalayan Balsam. Please weed this out if you see it. The remains can be laid beside the path where they will rot down before seeding.
Warriston's communal leaf mould heap beside the cottage:
A fenced bay is constructed around the leaf mould area. This is for delivered leaves and grass clippings only.
Please keep cars away from this area where possible to allow easy access for plot holders.
Please do not dump any plot weeds, old potatoes or other plant refuse here.
Kings Seeds:
As a Warriston plot holder, you can still enjoy a discount with Kings Seeds on most of their products. Contact them through FEDEGA who have set up the scheme for details. www.fedaga.org.uk/seed-scheme.
Please keep pathways around your plot clear and tidy:
Fences should not lean into paths and narrow their access. Plot holders, are responsible for this maintenance. The council is responsible only for maintenance of the main paths.
.
Our new communal space
We're still working on weed control but will be strimming regularly to keep them low.
The communal area has grown out of a rubble (the foundations of old outbuildings) and weed infested area (bindweed and nettles particularly) that had become unmanageable. For the past few decades, it was a dumping ground for leaves and grass clippings from local parks, which unfortunately included plastic and rubbish.
Following Edinburgh Council's JCB levelling in early winter 2016, volunteer plot holders cleared and covered the area in black plastic in order to eliminate the worst of the perennial weeds. Lifting the plastic this spring has allowed us to develop the new space. It has been turfed and edged with white clover (good for pollinators and consolidating sloping ground). Apple (Katy, Discovery, Sunburst and Clydeside) and pear trees (x2 Williams), a weeping cotoneaster and benches have arrived through donation from plot holders.
Now, as well as being an all year round place to meet friends and other gardeners, it can be used to accommodate site events such as the annual plant sale.
Designed for easy maintenance — the most important factor in relation to its ongoing success — the space will be mowed and pruned and planted by volunteers as it develops. And adjacent, a new leaf mould and grass cuttings compost bay, constructed in February 2018 on the boundary to the car park, makes collecting and delivering material more accessible.
The communal area opened on a sunny Sunday May 2018 in conjunction with our annual plant sale which raised funds to further develop the space and bring other improvements to the site (for example, we are looking into installing bike racks).
Jock's bench, bought with a very kind and generous donation from Ally, his son, now takes pride of place close to his plot.
Images of developments, click here.
Willow trees:
The council felled a number of willow trees on the south edge of the wood. These were becoming dangerous in high winds. Adjoining plot holders now enjoy more sunshine and air and wildlife, in particular birds, is multiplying.
In 2021 the stumps have begun to show vigorous signs of growth. We'll keep these in check.
After much deliberation about whether to develop this site, we decided to rewild it so that the flora and fauna are enabled to do their own thing. This means having the patience to do nothing. It may look messy, but insects, birds, small mammals and reptiles love it. Over the years, it should develop a balance of nature that we can all enjoy and be surprised by.
The only unwelcome inhabitant is Himalayan Balsam. Please weed this out if you see it. The remains can be laid beside the path where they will rot down before seeding.
Warriston's communal leaf mould heap beside the cottage:
A fenced bay is constructed around the leaf mould area. This is for delivered leaves and grass clippings only.
Please keep cars away from this area where possible to allow easy access for plot holders.
Please do not dump any plot weeds, old potatoes or other plant refuse here.
Kings Seeds:
As a Warriston plot holder, you can still enjoy a discount with Kings Seeds on most of their products. Contact them through FEDEGA who have set up the scheme for details. www.fedaga.org.uk/seed-scheme.
Please keep pathways around your plot clear and tidy:
Fences should not lean into paths and narrow their access. Plot holders, are responsible for this maintenance. The council is responsible only for maintenance of the main paths.
.
